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Drill A Hole In Your RV Roof Without Fear

Let's face it. Drilling a hole in the roof of your RV is terrifying. Some times though, the best route from point A to point B is through a carefully placed hole in your roof. I'll show you the best way to drill a hole in your roof and run cables into your RV.

Before you charge forward and drill a hole for a couple of cables, take some time and think ahead. Chances are you'll add more equipment to your RV roof and need another hole or two. Plan ahead and create one large hole for the cables you need to run now and in the future. Install a professional looking cable access box and cable conduit to accommodate several cables. I'll show you how.

Before Drilling, You Should Do This

Plan your cable runs carefully and consider all alternatives

Make sure you have more than enough cable to reach your destination

Get to know your existing cable paths

Choose a central location on your roof that is over a wall or behind a cabinet

Make sure you have the right tools and materials on-hand

When possible use a borescope to locate obstacles inside walls and other tight spaces

Things You’ll Need

Drill with hole bit

Short section of 1 inch electrical PVC conduit (enough to get through the roof)

Have a Solid Plan Before Drilling the Hole

A project like this takes careful planning. So before you start drilling make sure you know exactly where your cable is going to run. Pick the best route and figure out how much cable you'll need to get there.

TIP:Take time and consider all alternatives before drilling that hole. In my experience, the first solution isn't always the best. I've found that the longer I think about it, the better my solution gets.

Finally, use existing cable runs whenever possible. It will save you time and prevent unnecessary drilling. So pull out some drawers and remove some panels to find those cable runs. It will pay off in the long run.

Why I didn't use a cable entry gland

Cable glands like the one pictured are often used for cable access holes in your roof. You can find them for just a few bucks on Amazon. They are a handy for smaller installations, but here's why I don't use them on my RV.

These small cable glands only accommodate one or two cables. Plus you can't add more or get to the opening without completely removing the cable gland. Eventually, you will add more equipment on your roof and need another hole and cable gland. More holes. Not good.

Final Tips and Suggestions

There are always lessons learned on each project. Here are a few that I'd like to share to help you get a professional result the first time.

Don't rush into this project. Considering all alternatives before starting will give you the confidence you'll need to drill that hole. You might even find a better way to get those cables into your RV without drilling a hole in your roof.

Make sure you have more than enough cable to get from the roof to your equipment. You certainly don't want to come up short. More is better in this case.

What you learn about your existing wiring will benefit you on future projects. Let's face it, running cables through walls and cracks is not easy work. Your decision to go the extra mile to keep those cables out-of-site will produce a professional result.

Routinely inspect and seal around cable box. Any hole in your roof is a potential leak, so keep an eye on it.

I hope this article gave you some helpful tips. If so, please share or pin it. Cheers!

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The opinions expressed on this site are our own or from a contributor. Before taking on any project or making a large purchase, you should do your own research and consult a professional for advice. Read our site disclaimer and disclosure.